The identities of a man who died and the officer who killed him in a shooting near a trolley platform were revealed Monday.
Thomas Johnson was 36-years-old and a San Diego resident. He was allegedly armed with an axe Thursday, according to investigators.
San Diego Police Department officers were dispatched at approximately 3:20 p.m. Wednesday to a report that a man was using an axe to vandalize a trolley at the Morena/Linda Vista Trolley platform, according to the investigating agency, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
A search for the suspect began with ground and air resources, and about 15 minutes later, a man was found in the 4700 block of Friars Road that police say matched the reported description.
“The subject had an axe with him in his hand and approached the officer,” San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Lt. Juan Marquez said.
One officer, identified as Officer Luisito Fanlo, fired multiple rounds, striking the man.
Two witnesses told NBC 7 there were two shots fired from the gun of the same officer.
Tyron Bobo was asleep in his tent nearby when he was startled awake.
“I was laying down, then I hear pow, pow, pow, and I got up. Police came. I don’t know what happened,” Bobo said.
Officers requested paramedics and began rendering lifesaving aid. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department arrived and continued medical efforts. The man was pronounced dead at approximately 4:10 p.m.
In a statement, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said they extended their condolences to Johnson’s family and all those affected by his passing.
Another witness who wished not to be identified told NBC 7 he saw the shooting and that the man killed had walked swiftly toward an officer with a hatchet in his hand.
Video from the scene showed a person laying in the street on the south side of Friars Road, blocked off by yellow police tape. A pair of scissors was seen on the ground not far from them.
No SDPD officers were injured during the incident, the SDSO reported.
Around 3:30 p.m., at least one San Diego Police Department officer opened fire, and someone is dead. NBC 7’s Dave Summers was live from the scene with details.
San Diego police closed both directions of Friars Road between Sea World Drive and Napa Street in the Morena area for an investigation following the deadly police shooting on Wednesday afternoon.
“Please avoid the area and use alternate routes while the response continue,” San Diego Police Department wrote on X at around 4 p.m.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting was urged to contact the sheriff’s homicide Unit at 858-285-6330. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
The motivation and circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation. The case will be submitted to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether the involved officer bears criminal liability. The SDPD will also conduct an administrative review of the officer’s discharge of the firearm.
This is a developing story. Details may change as more information arrives.